Hand surgeons: don’t put up with the pain — timely treatment helps prevent more serious problems
Meliva hand surgeons Kristo Kask and Villem Teder explain when, and for which concerns, it's worth seeing a specialist.
Our hands are indispensable in everyday life — yet we often only appreciate how important they are once they start hurting or restricting movement. Meliva hand surgeons Kristo Kask and Villem Teder explain when, and for which concerns, it’s worth seeing a specialist.
Hand surgery deals with the hand as a whole — restoring and preserving its movement and sensitivity. According to Dr Teder, who sees patients for hand surgery and orthopaedics at Meliva’s Rävala clinic, any change or damage — whether from trauma, overuse, or illness — can affect how the hand functions. “Patients often come to us with overuse injuries, such as wrist pain or tendon problems, that interfere with everyday activities. Nerve compression syndromes are also common, and can cause loss of sensation and weakening of the muscles in the hand,” he explains.
Beyond physically active people, hand surgeons also regularly see middle-aged and older patients with joint wear or other chronic conditions. “Women more often experience wear in the thumb joint, which can make even opening a jar lid painful. Men more often develop connective tissue conditions that cause stiffening of the fingers and restrict hand mobility,” Dr Kask notes.
While hand problems are often assumed to be linked to physical labour, that isn’t always the case. “Hairdressers, dentists, and office workers tend to notice hand problems earlier, since their work requires constant strain and repetitive movements of the hands — but similar concerns can also arise in people without any physical workload,” says Dr Kask.
When should you see a doctor about a hand problem?
It’s often assumed that hand pain is something you just have to put up with. Yet timely treatment can help prevent more serious problems. “We recently saw a young mother who had severe pain in both wrists and couldn’t pick up her baby without pain. It turned out to be inflammation caused by overuse, which was relieved with a simple procedure and an injection. Within a few days, she was able to go about her everyday tasks again and care for her child without pain,” Dr Kask recalls.
According to Dr Teder, one of the main signs it’s time to see a doctor is when pain or restricted movement interferes with everyday life, or forces you to avoid certain activities. Loss of sensation and weakness in the hand also warrant attention, as they can point to nerve problems. “Every movement of the hand matters in our everyday life — from stroking a child’s cheek to work and hobbies. If your hand starts hurting or movement becomes restricted, it’s not something to just live with,” Dr Kask adds.
How are hand problems treated?
Hand surgery doesn’t always mean an operation. Surgical intervention is the last resort, used only when other methods haven’t helped or the problem has progressed too far. Most issues are treated first with conservative care, which can include:
- Hand therapy and physiotherapy — specific exercises and joint supports help restore mobility and reduce pain;
- Injections and medication — for example, corticosteroid injections can help ease inflammation and pain in certain joint and tendon conditions;
- Adjusting lifestyle and workplace ergonomics — sometimes simply changing habits and reducing strain is enough.
